White wine has the potential to be the perfect beverage on a hot summer day. And while that can apply to any white, there are some that are perfect not only for the warmer weather but the activities that accompany it. Think pool, beach, BBQ, backyard, porch swing, garden party. No matter where your summer takes you, it is best to be prepared to show up with a chilled bottle of white ready for any occasion. Even better if it is as affordable as it is delicious. So that’s why we created our Wine Guide for Trader Joe’s White Wines. We have scoured the shelves of Trader Joes to find our top 3 summer picks for 2022.
Summer Whites: Trader Joe’s White Wines
Where do we begin when there are so many choices on the shelves? The usual suspects will be just fine (aka Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay) and maybe their labels are more recognizable. But, we know that if you spend a little more time browsing the shelves there are well priced delicious wines just waiting to be snapped up. What are you going to get? An amazing flavorful wine, that will be a great summer sipper. We have found the secret to finding these wines is to look for some great European wines hidden among the domestic offerings.
Espiral Vinho Verde, Portugal
Price: $4.49
Not all wine from Portugal is Port. Located in the north-west of Portugal, an area known for lovely low-alcohol and flavorful wines, Vinho Verde reigns supreme. Vinho meaning ‘wine’ and Verde meaning ‘green’ this wine is meant to be drunk young and fresh. This is one of the most versatile pairing wines. It is extremely easy to drink, a little effervescent, and can accommodate many different flavor profiles. Not only that, but it is lower in alcohol. So at only 9%, you can keep you sipping in the sun all day long.
This wine embodies all of the best things about summer, lazy days by the pool to sun-filled backyard parties. It has wonderful tropical notes, with a slight fizz that just screams summer. It is layered with hints of white melon, grapefruit, and citrus blossom. And since it brings refreshing acidity and full fruit flavors to the table, this wine has many layers to enjoy from the first sip to the last.
This wine is begging to be paired with shellfish. It can balance out the richness of shellfish with sparkling acidity while complementing its sweetness with its complex tropical notes. Don’t rule out other seafood like a fresh fish ceviche or a spicy tuna roll. One thing that can be difficult to pair with is fresh fruit or fruit salad but look no further. Vinho Verde is excellent with fresh fruit and light appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon. No matter what you can’t go wrong with this most affordable summer wine.
Floriana 2018 Grüner Veltliner, Hungary
Price:$4.99
Grüner Veltliner is a grape usually synonymous with Austria or Germany. It grows well in cooler climates and is well suited to higher altitudes. This white varietal is known for its high-acid, herbal, and mineral qualities. Though not as easy to find outside of a specialty wine shop or from a boutique winery in the US, you can find some amazing deals on this complex, light, and refreshing white.
The post-Austro-Hungarian Empire left many countries bordering each other and sharing many languages, cultures, and wine-growing regions. Though Austria is known for Grüner Veltliner the prime region for growing this grape is divided by a simple border between it and Hungary. What does this mean for us? Well, we get a high-quality wine for a fraction of the price.
Light and refreshing, it shows prominent notes of apple and lemon zest on the nose. On the palate, it is dry, with apple and citrus persisting, along with faint herbal notes with a touch of white pepper. Though it is the perfect clean refreshing white, is it also a great companion to food. Not only can it pair well with chicken, seafood, and light appetizers, it does amazingly well with fresh vegetables and light-zesty summer barbeque foods.
Famille Perrin 2019 Côtes du Rhône Reserve
Price:$7.99
The last stop on our Wine Guide for Trader Joe’s White Wines is this Côtes du Rhône. Though the Côtes du Rhône area of France is often associated with red blends, it is the white wines that are the unsung heroes of the area. These blends are extremely food-friendly and can be enjoyed in any season due to their complex flavor profile. With the distinction of Côtes du Rhône this blend of the classic Rhône whites: Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier makes a well-balanced combination.
This smooth white blend has a subtle, slightly buttery nose, with notes of white flowers such as jasmine and honeysuckle, with touches of dried herbs. It is fresh on the palate and has a nice minerality, to accompany the essence of apple, citrus, and tropical fruits.
Though excellent to drink on its own, this wine is perfect for Mediterranean style dishes. For instance, fresh-caught rockfish or fresh herbaceous side dishes. It is also a welcome companion for chicken or turkey because of its complex flavors and refreshing acidity. Though this is the most pricy of our 3 wines, it is a steal for the quality and depth it brings to your table.